Motor attachment for player planos



7 A ril 14,1925 1,533,915

J. E. JACKSON MOTOR ATTACHMENT FOR PLAYER PIANOS Filed Oct. 15, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l gin-0014 for April 14, 1925. 1,533,915

J. E. JACKSON MOTOR ATTACHMENT FOR PLAYER PIANOS Filed Oct. 13, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w 5/ 3 /fi' Patented Apr. 14, i925.

UNITED JOHN EARL JACKSON, 0E LETBOET, MICHIGAN.

MOTOR ATTACHMENT FOR- PLAYER PIAN'OEL To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, JOIIN JACKSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Motor Attachments for Player Pianos, of which the following a specification.

This invention relates to player pianos and has particular reference to motor attachment therefor by means of which the instrumeiiit may be played automatically in lieu of the use of the usual foot operated mechanism or pedals.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the above kind which embraces the desired qualities of simplicity and durability of construction as well as efficiency in operation.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better undestood and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully describet, shown in the accompanying drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure. l is a front elevational View, partly broken away of a player piano provided with a motor attachment in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1, taken through the casing of the motor, and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view partly broken awayof the motor.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 5 indicates the case of an ordinary player piano within which is arranged a longitudinal crank shaft 6 having the crank 7 thereof operatively connected by means of links 8 with the usual pedals 9 by means of which the pump or bellows of the piano are usually operated. The shaft 6 may be suitably j ournalled in the lower ends of depending bearing arms 10 that are attached at their outer ends to the top of the case 5 as clearly shown in Figure 1, andthis shaft 6 is operatively connected with the power shaft 11 of a spring motor 12 by means of a sprocket gearing indicated generally at 13. The sprocket gearing consists of an endless chain passing around aligned sprocket wheels upon the motor shaft 11 and the ad- Application filed October 13, 1923. Serial. No. 668,330, 7

jacent end of the shaft 6, the motor 12 being rigidly mounted within the case 5 at one end of the latter.

The motor 12 is of the spring driven type comprising a. spring 14; which operates a driving 15 which meshes with a spur pinion 16 fixed upon the shaft 11, and the driving 15 is mounted upon a winding shaft 1? that projects outwardly through the adjacent end of the case 5 and is provided with crank 18 by means of which the spring 14 may be rewound as is well known and usual in spring motor constructions.

In order to provide a simple and desir able form of stop for the motor 12, so that th player piano may be rendered operative or inoperative at will, I provide a cam break shoe 19 upon a cam lever 20 that is journalled'upon the pin 21 within the casing of the motor 12, the cam shoe 19 being disposed to move into and out of engagement with the adjacent side of the driving gear 15 of the motor. The upper end of the lever 20 extends horizontally and outwardly through an arcuate slot 22 provided in the front of the. ase 5 as shown in Figure 1, said upper end thus forming a finger piece 23 by means of which the cam 19 may be actuated for starting and stopping the motor and consequently controlling the operation of the pedals 9 which operate the bellows or pumps of the piano.

It is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and it is noted that minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. In combination with a player piano embodying a case and operating pedals, a longitudinal crank shaft journalled within the case of the piano and having cranks, links operatively connecting the cranks of said shaft with said pedals, a spring m0- tor within the case adjacent one end of the latter and operativelv connected to said crank shaft, externally disposed means for rewinding said spring motor from a point at one end of the piano case, and means adjacent said rewinding means for rendering the motor operative 0.1 inoperative at wi comhination with :1 player piano (3111:) tl ri :1 case err-cl operating pedals a longitudinal crank shzitt jonrnallecl Within the (me of the piano and having cranks, links operatire]; connecting; the cranks oi? sziicl shaft with said pedals, a spring 1110- tor Within the case adjacent one encl of the latter and operatively connected to soitl crank shaft, externall disposed means for reminding said spring, notor from a point at one end of the piano case, and means adjacent said reminding: nieons tor rend-Frin51- the motor operative or inoperative at will. sniil inst nninecl means coin prising- :1 cor-:1 shoe (RliYifiQ lever having; its upper end (Ni'OlNllllQ horizontal f through the :inrl snicl spr ng inotor comprising :1 rlrivinp; gear with one Siflfi ot ailiclfstaicl coin shoe is o-(lzipte/(l to be en, o ctl for stopping the motor:

In con'ihinntion with :1 player piano having :1 case nml operating pedals. ot a motor arranged Within the case and operatirely connected to said pedals. means tor rendering sziicl motor operative or inoperative at will said motor being of the spring clriren type, and o. Winding shaft for the motor projecting" through an opening" in one end of the case.

-l-. In eoinhination with :1 player piano having a case and operating pedals, 01'. :1 motor arranged Within the case and operzitirely connected to sairl pedals. and means for rendering; said inotor operative or inoperative it will saicl motor being of the spring driven trpe, and a Winding shaft projecting through an opening; in one oo l of the case the operative connection hotween the pedals and the motor coinpri ing' :1 crank shott Within the case he 'infl' cronlrs. links connecting the cranks to the peda s, {gearinghetWe-en one onrl of said cronlz shaft and the shaft of the motoix and means to operate said Winding" shaft.

In testimony whereof I slit: my signature.

JOHN EARL JA CKQO 

